Novel Hand Muff and Purse

ABSTRACT

A hand muff is fitted with a series of pouches and compartments. The hand muff has a purse strap which itself is collapsible and folds into a compartment. When deployed, the strap converts the hand muff into a handbag. The compartments allow for the use of the handbag with resealable different pockets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is apparel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handbags and hand muffs have been in the public domain for some time.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,108,946 describes a muff with compartments, or pockets, but these are for the hands to make the invention feel warmer to the end user.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,519, a fanny pack is convertible to a hand muff. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,175 straps are used to secure a knapsack to a child. The author of the abandoned invention utility docket P-4089-1 and this present invention describes a hand muff in the form of a stuffed animal, with only one pocket.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to develop a convertible apparel device that can be both a hand muff and a hand bag. Another object of the invention is to develop a toy for children. Yet another object of the invention is to produce apparel with a collapsible strap. Another object of the invention is to develop apparel where the shoulder strap is stored in a pouch until used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a hand muff with front and back compartments which allow for storage and a pouch in the top which stores a shoulder strap. When the shoulder strap is deployed, the hand muff converts to a hand bag.

DETAILED EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

A tubular pouch made of small pore-open cell elastomeric foam is stitched or glued into compartments which are plastic lined and form pockets. The pockets are sealed with a latch, nonwoven fiber and plastic hooks, or a zipper. The pouches both face away from and towards the wearer of the muff. The hand muff is covered with a motif such as a clown or with fur or with fabric or a polymer coating. On the top of the muff is a small thin compartment which runs the length of the top and holds a shoulder strap in the compartment. The shoulder strap is added when the hand muff is to be used as a purse.

Examples of the Invention

A leather tube with 3 forward facing zippered compartments and one posterior compartment is lined inside with rabbit fur for comfort and warmth. A matching leather strap comes out of a small thin pouch located at the top of the leather purse/muff to allow conversion between uses.

In another preferred embodiment, a stuffed animal had an interior tube for hand warming, and contains a zippered pouch in it's head which deploys a strap. Pockets in the front as well as the back can contain small toys or accessories. 

1. A muff which has two or more compartments or pouches, and which has a hidden strap and can be used as a purse.
 2. The claim in 1 where the muff is made of animal fur on the outside.
 3. The claim in 1 where the muff is made of wool.
 4. The claim in 1 where the muff is made of cellulose fiber.
 5. The claim in 1 where the muff is made of synthetic polymer
 6. The claim in 5 where the fiber is polyester.
 7. The claim in 5 where the fiber is polyamide.
 8. The claim in 5 where the fiber is polyimide.
 9. The claim in 5 where the fiber is polyolefin.
 10. The claim in 5 where the fiber is polyurethane.
 11. The claims in 1 where the muff is filled with closed or open cell foam.
 12. The claims in 1 where the muff is filled with down feathers.
 13. The claims in 1 where the muff is filled with non-woven fiber.
 14. The claims in 1 where the purse trap folds into a hidden compartment when not in use.
 15. The claims in 1 where the compartments are sub-divided into smaller sub compartments.
 16. The claims in 1-15 where the muff contains multiple layers of materials lists in claims 1-13 in any combination. 